tag history

The special collection to commemorate the registration of ‘Sansa in Korea’ as the world heritage by UNESCO!
Just simple one book which has only selected the essence of ‘tour of mountain temples’, written by professor Yu, Hong June, who has long admired mountain temples. The best-seller series of ‘My Exploration of Cultural Heritage’, which has been sold more than 4 million so far this year since the publish of ‘The First Tour of Southern Area of Korea’ in 1994 as the first book, is one of the best books in Korea to introduce the individual mountain temples each in Korea. The author, professor Yu, has long recognized the value and the beauty of Korean mountain temples, so he has been doing his best to let the world know about mountain temples and has admired them as well as an expert. Last June, seven mountain temples in Korea were registered as world heritage by UNESCO, so now ‘mountain temples’ have become not just Korea’s cultural heritage but the world-class heritage that we can be proud of. To commemorate the registration as world heritage by UNESCO, the author has selected South Korea’s representative 20 mountain temples, which we also included in the past ‘Tour of Mountain Temples’, and North Korea’s 2 mountain temples, which we can visit someday. Sansa, Korean Buddhist mountain monasteries have become the world-class heritage by UNESCO
At the end of June, 2018, the 42th World Heritage Committee decided to register ‘Sansa, Korean Buddhist Mountain Monasteries’ in the list of World Heritage. ‘Sansa, Korean Buddhist Mountain Monasteries’ have become the 13th world heritage in Korea, which are seven mountain temples, such as Tongdo temple in Yang San, Booseok temple in Young Joo, Bongjeong temple in An-Dong, Beobjoo temple in Bo Eun, Magok temple in Gong Joo, Seonam temple in Soon Cheon, Daeheung temple in Hae Nam. World Heritage Committee announced that ‘Mountain Temples, Korean Sanji monasteries’ deserved to be evaluated as ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, the condition to be registered in terms of its continuity since its construction in 7th to 9th century up to now as well as its deep historical value of Korean Buddhism. ‘My Exploration of Cultural Heritage: Sansa, Korean Buddhist Mountain Monasteries’, published this time, introduces four temples among 7 monasteries, including Booseok temple in Young Joo, Bongjeong temple in An-Dong, Seonam temple in Soon Cheon, Daeheung temple in Hae Nam, as well as 15 more beautiful and valuable temples in South Korea and 2 more temples in North Korea even if they were not yet registered in the list.

There is a historical fact going against the common sense that the only virtues for capitalism are the pursuit of profit and competition…! Taming Capitalism: The History of Capital and Non-capital is a fascinating history book that, through scenes of Italy in the early 20th century, provocatively presents the claim that the fairness and morality inherent in capitalism can amply be restored. Jang Moon Seok argues that, since its birth in 17th-century Europe, capitalism has secured its own efficiency and validity, protecting “non-capital” such as the family, state, and religion. In particular, the entrepreneurs of Italy, which were latecomers in industrialized Europe, wished to catch up with advanced countries’ industrial development but also sought to avoid or detour existing social conflict or class struggle. In other words, they sought simultaneously to catch the two birds of catching up with (economic development) and taming capitalism (social control). To achieve these goals, the Italians actively embraced non-capitalistic elements such as the family, community, and state and values of bygone eras such as paternalism and royalism. Presenting diverse cases where non-capitalistic elements have been mobilized and used in the developmental process of Italian capitalism, this book persuasively demonstrates that the economy has coexisted with the non-economical and capitalism has coexisted with the non-capitalistic, intertwined in a complex manner..

The Berlin Wall did not fall in one day
The key to the reunification of the Korean Peninsula as seen through the 70 year-history of the German reunification A book that wholly revives the beginning and end of the German reunification has been published. A Narrative of the Berlin Wall: Reexamining the German Reunification is an account of the 70 year-history of the German reunification where Kim Young-hie, a journalist specializing in international issues, meticulously examines the path to reunification while thoroughly surveying contemporary German history from the termination of World War II in 1945 to the present. While most existing works on the topic both at home and abroad focus on geopolitics before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall in October 1990, this volume is a comprehensive history book that summarizes episodes surrounding reunification based on the author’s personal examination of vast data from Western Europe, especially those created by German policy makers and experts. Having presented his exceptional point of view by interpreting the question of the Korean Peninsula in the context not simply of domestic politics but of the global situation, Kim turns the tortuous journey to the German reunification into one epic narrative by widely referencing related documents and including dramatic anecdotes. As such, this work is at once a good study that will contribute to South Korea’s reunification studies and an excellent introduction to contemporary European history that presents in a readily comprehensible manner the complexity of modern and contemporary European politics.

A new world history that unfolds on maps
All kids who are learning world history for the first time are invited! Let’s Play with World History! a history book for children learning world history for the first time, has been published. An inquisitive child, the protagonist, and a librarian with a wealth of knowledge learn about the history of the world in the process of pointing at maps and sharing questions and answers. Consisting not of a dry exposition but of an intriguing tale, this volume unfolds the diverse histories, religions, and cultures of Africa, Asia, Europe, Americas, and Oceania. It uniquely guides youngsters to have an open worldview by going beyond a narrative that centers on Western history and heroes and describing in simple language the everyday lives of people who have lived on a variety of continents on Earth. In addition, in keeping with the subtitle “A New Story of History Found on Maps,” the picture maps and historical photographs that appear appropriately as each page is turned will aid children to understand world history with greater ease. This book is the volume on history in the Changbi Books for Learning about Society Series. A book that can be read with ease and interest by children learning world history for the first time
For youngsters learning world history for the first time and their parents alike, the immense quantity of global history will be the greatest burden. To alleviate such concerns, Let’s Play with World History! consists of one fun tale so that readers will not be overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge. Living on an island from which the sea can be seen, the young protagonist is fascinated by the histories, geography, religions, and cultures of other words while looking at the big old world map on the kitchen wall and learns about the stories of far-off lands through free-style lessons with the librarian. Turning the spotlight on diverse peoples around the world!
Transcending a worldview focusing on the West or powerful individuals and groups, Let’s Play with World History! endeavors to address the histories of various peoples across the globe. Divided into five parts in accordance with the number of continents, the book guides readers to the history of the human race, starting with Africa and progressing to Asia, Europe, Americas, and Oceania, in this order. This is none other than the sequence in which humans settled down on each continent of Earth. In the process, the volume comprehensively teaches readers even about regions not often dealt with in other history books such as India and Antarctica. While following this progression, readers will naturally come to pay attention to the histories not only of large, powerful nations but also of the diverse peoples who have lived around the world. Examining the history of groups including the paraiyars (pariahs), the lowest caste in India who are not allowed even to drink from village wells, and Native Americans/First Nations, who were bereft of nearly all of their land by white people over a century, this volume warmly embraces those who were all too often excluded from existing historical narratives. Let’s Play with World History! will thus help youngsters to see the world from a broad perspective as they acquire increasingly complex and difficult knowledge in the growth process. Friendly maps that combine natural geography and human geography
Noteworthy in Let’s Play with World History! are over 30 maps, which have been painstakingly drawn by hand. Unlike atlases used at South Korean schools, which try to cram as much information as possible on maps, these maps are unique in naturally arranging information so that they can be appreciated like paintings, thus enabling youngsters to understand the information from the main text more easily on the maps.
Each section presents maps that allow readers to grasp at a glance the natural terrain of each continent such as mountain ranges, each continent such as mountain ranges, plateaus, rivers, seas, forests, and deserts and that present national borders and country names. In addition, places associated with historically important events or culturally noteworthy remains are presented separately through small maps and photographs, thus enhancing readers’ visual understanding. Thus encompassing on maps information on both natural geography and human geography, Let’s Play with World History! is expected to be established as a volume suited to children who learn the history of the world for the first time.

A journey to recharge our sensibility and intellect this autumn,
traveling along the South Han River, the last secret areas in South Korea!
The topic of this latest addition to the series is a journey along the South Han River (Namhan River). From Yeong’wol in Gang’won Province to Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province, the areas around the South Han River are familiar to South Koreans as accessible locations for outings near the Seoul metropolitan area and, in recent years, popular as the perfect places for hiking, trekking, and bicycle trips. However, the South Han River is not simply the section of the Han River flowing from the south but is the main stream of the Han River, which originates in Mt. Taebaek, travels across Gang’won Province, North Chungcheong Province, Gyeonggi Province, and Seoul, and flows into the West Sea (Yellow Sea). As such, it is also an artery and a symbol of Korea, the site of history that, flowing quietly, bears traces of age-old history throughout its course. In addition, it representatively showcases the unique beauty of Korea’s natural environment, where mountains, rivers, and lakes form a harmony. As such, the river and its surrounding areas are incomparably appropriate as the destinations of Professor Yu Hong-june’s brand of explorations, where nature, history, and the humanities come together. In the introduction, Professor Yu guarantees readers that they “will truly and keenly feel that Korea is a land of unparalleled beauty indeed” if they embark on explorations of areas along the South Han River. In addition, stating, “For a long time, traveling along the South Han River, I have wished to tell people of the world about the beautiful riverside scenery and stories of the cultural heritage in these areas,” he explains that “I have thought each time what an utter waste it is only for me to enjoy them.” As such, the record of explorations of the South Han River that he determinedly presents this time is attractive as never before, making prospective explorers who will wish to follow his footsteps restless with anticipation. In particular, this volume on the South Han River includes itineraries that are even richer than those in earlier installments in the series, based on numerous actual trips taken by the author. Consequently, it will serve readers as a peerless guide as they embark on explorations and journeys after reading it. Leisureliness encompassing history, nature, and the arts
Though the combination of humanity, history, and the arts can be said to be a trademark of Professor Yu’s records of explorations, this aspect is especially strong in the volume on the South Han River. It is because the routes along the river invariably include not only visible heritage in art history such as National Treasures and Treasures but also accounts of natural landscapes such as rivers, mountains, and fields and people and history related to them. Moreover, because the South Han River is not just a river but has been an important route of Korea connecting Seoul, Chungcheong Province, and Gyeonggi Province for centuries, the course cannot but be scattered with countless anecdotes and history. Indeed, the author himself states that the proportion of natural heritage has increased in his writing vis-à-vis history, literature, and folklore and says that he “feel[s] as if [he were] talking to long-missed friends or students on the wooden porch of a traditional Korean country cottage on a moonlit night.” Readers consequently will feel as if they were accompanying Professor Yu on a journey along the South Han River while comfortably listening to his stories instead of tensely listening to a lecture. His discerning eye for and knowledge of the arts and history will be transmitted unawares in the process, an effect of writing surely based on his years of experience. As for Professor Yu’s style, when looking at artworks, he prompts readers to understand the differences between Gim Hong-do’s paintings and their imitations with brief explanations alone without tediously explicating the composition and brushstrokes. The same holds true also of the passage comparing the stupa of the Buddhist monk Grand Preceptor Wonjong (Treasure No. 7) and the stupa (National Treasure No. 4), both located at the Godal Temple site. As a result, readers only need to enjoy the South Han River in their respective ways. It is equally good to embark on explorations after reading this volume, to read and reminisce about trips later, and to go on armchair travels to the areas even if they cannot actually leave immediately. Regardless of which shape journeys to the South Han River take, the book will be more than sufficient for readers to enjoy the areas vividly, as if they were accompanying Professor Yu on actual explorations.

A running commentary on the Korean War as witnessed by a historian who was then teaching history at Seoul National University. By firmly maintaining his distance from both leftists and rightists, Kim has produced a historical record of great value and insight.

This volume records the march of hope and hardship that young people experienced amidst the maelstrom of contemporary Korean history from the Gwangju Democratization Movement of 1980 to the June Struggle of 1987. It movingly recounts through testimonies and photographs how many sacrificed their youth to the democratization of Korean society in an era of cataclysmic changes and struggle against military dictatorships. The author vividly recreates past events through a sensitive sensibility and a terse style that can vie with those of full-time writers so that history from 20 years ago comes alive as if it happened yesterday. This work will provide readers who are unfamiliar with the history of the democratization movement in Korea with an opportunity to share invaluable records and ponder on the meaning and root of life and history.

This collection covers a wide variety of themes such as history, folk tales, reality, home, friends, and neighbors. Each poem is permeated with ceaseless exploration of human nature and a stern and sincere commitment to history. The most precious aspect of this anthology is the poet’s confidence in the history-making power of the Korean people. This power motivated him to never give up the possibility of groping for a way when most people thought they had all got lost in postmodern world. He also talks about the death of poetry in the Korean literary world in the early 1990s. With this book, Ko Un won the Daesan Literature Prize.